2017 SIGN CODE UPDATE CITY OF GIG HARBOR APRIL 6, 2017 OPEN HOUSE

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1 2017 SIGN CODE UPDATE CITY OF GIG HARBOR APRIL 6, 2017 OPEN HOUSE

2 WELCOME Planning Commission hosted Open House Please sign-in and provide a current address to stay informed on the project Please take 5 colored dots and place them on the large aerial maps at your desired locations Staff will provide a brief PowerPoint presentation near the 5:15-5:30 time frame

3 TONIGHT S AGENDA Overview of the City s Sign Code Update What are Temporary signs in the Public Right of Way? What is the Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court Decision? How does the Reed decision impact the City of Gig Harbor s Sign Code Ordinance? Summary of the Planning Commissions initial comments and thoughts on how to address the impacts of Reed in relation to Temporary Signs in the public right-of-way. Location, Time, Place, Manner Permitting Opportunity to ask a lot of questions Please provide us your comments, suggestions and feedback in writing.

4 WHAT ARE TEMPORARY SIGNS?

5 PHOTOS OF TEMPORARY SIGNS

6 REED V. TOWN OF GILBERT Reed V. Town of Gilbert is a United States Supreme Court case that addresses First Amendment issues in local sign codes The case centers on the Town of Gilbert, Arizona s sign code, which prohibits the display of outdoor signs without a permit, but exempts 23 categories of signs, including the three relevant ones here. Ideological Signs Political Signs Temporary Directional Signs

7 REED V. TOWN OF GILBERT - RULE Gilbert had a Content Based regulation of speech If you have to read the sign to determine if it is allowed, the regulation is content based and requires strict scrutiny As long as it meets size, place, location, and time requirements it is legal.

8 QUESTIONS ON REED DECISION? Any questions on content based neutrality? Requirement to meet the Reed decision? Due to the distinction and different regulations for uses of signs, we have to make the regulations Reed compliant. Questions on project timeframe?

9 CITY OF GIG HARBOR CURRENT REGULATIONS Off Premise Signs (This would include garage sale signs) Not allowed. Directional Signs Limited to 4 sq ft, 4 ft tall, no permit required. Real Estate Signs Limited in size and location, no permit required. Construction Signs Limited to 32 square feet, no permit required. Campaign/Political Signs Limited to 12 square feet, 6 ft tall, no permit required. Public Event Signs Limited duration, allowed in Right of Way with Encroachment Permit Portable Gas Station Price Sign Limited to 15 square feet, 5 feet tall, no permit required. A-Board One per business, limited to 6 sq ft, no permit required, must be on your property unless you have nowhere to place it (downtown for example) then you can get an encroachment permit to place in right of way. Banners One 20 sq ft banner no more than 60 calendar days per year. Permit required. No fee. Balloons Balloon displays of 6 or more balloons are regulated as part of your 60 calendar days of banner time. Permit required. No fee.

10 QUESTIONS ON CURRENT CITY REGULATIONS?

11 PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION TO DATE Safety: No Placement in Round-a-bouts or Traffic Islands No Placement in areas that block the view of motorists for turning movements No placement in areas that restrict movement of vehicular, nonmotorized, or pedestrians Location: Discussion on distinction of types of temporary signs in residential vs commercial zoning districts Consider limitations that allow them to be placed only on public right-of-way (in specific areas below) Centers of Local Importance (Map available) Designated Parkways (Map available) Public and private roadways (Map available)

12 PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION TO DATE Typology: Temporary signs shall be made of materials that do not move or shift around. They should be stable in composition and have no moving parts. This would restrict balloons, banners, fabric signs Purpose is safety, visibility, and security of placement Consider limiting to only H type signs? Restrict A Boards and other types? H type signs have to be placed in landscaped area, would limit the potential blockage of sidewalks and roadways

13 PLANNING COMMISSION PERMITTING Permit Temporary Signs? Limit length of placement or permit? Limit number of signs from one applicant? (5, 10, 25?) Over the Counter Permit Base fee + minor fee per sign Provides opportunity to educate the applicant on allowed location, length, size, and other potential requirements Code-enforcement can easily identify which signs do not have a permit and can remove them

14 QUESTIONS ON PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION? Safety? Locations? Types? Permitting?

15 TONIGHT S OPEN HOUSE Provide Education Be available for questions Dot Exercise Review What does this tell us? Please provide input on: LOCATION LIMITATIONS? SIZE REQUIREMENTS? PERMIT REQUIRED? AMOUNT OF SIGNS ALLOWED? TYPE OF SIGN MATERIALS?

16 WE WANT YOUR INPUT!!! Please provide us with your thoughts or comments on how to best implement the required changes Written on comment cards provided Written in to Senior Planner, Lindsey Sehmel Your comments will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at their next meeting Thursday May 4, PM